03-20-2003, 02:32 AM
Korean War. Chinese intervention. Battles. Dead Americans. Yes.
Mao was in charge of Big China in those days, which of course we called Red China. To say that he killed Americans is probably a shading of the truth, as Harry Truman personally did not really kill a bunch of Chinese and North Koreans in that war. But Mao advocated killing Americans (read some history on that point) who were, after all, his enemy at the time. It sort of makes sense, particularly from the point of view of Chairman Mao. (Aside: The U.S. Supported Chiag Kai Chek, who was himself a bit of a prick: General Stillwell used to refer to him as 'Peanut,' and the legend is that his other epithets about that semi-corrupt fellow were not printed by the kinder gentler media in those days.)
Barbara Tuchman's "With Stillwell in Burma" is a pretty good book on that era.
The other point I might make is that Mao brought stability to China sort of the same way his colleague in Red, dear Uncle Joe Stalin, brought stability to the USSR: with enforced change paid for in blood.
Mao was in charge of Big China in those days, which of course we called Red China. To say that he killed Americans is probably a shading of the truth, as Harry Truman personally did not really kill a bunch of Chinese and North Koreans in that war. But Mao advocated killing Americans (read some history on that point) who were, after all, his enemy at the time. It sort of makes sense, particularly from the point of view of Chairman Mao. (Aside: The U.S. Supported Chiag Kai Chek, who was himself a bit of a prick: General Stillwell used to refer to him as 'Peanut,' and the legend is that his other epithets about that semi-corrupt fellow were not printed by the kinder gentler media in those days.)
Barbara Tuchman's "With Stillwell in Burma" is a pretty good book on that era.
The other point I might make is that Mao brought stability to China sort of the same way his colleague in Red, dear Uncle Joe Stalin, brought stability to the USSR: with enforced change paid for in blood.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete